Cory's Corner: From Bad To Worse
Green Bay's offense cannot hold up its end of the bargain — especially with the defense playing so well.
GREEN BAY — Things just went from bad to worse.
“You score seven points in this league, you’re probably not going to win many games,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur after the Packers lost to the Eagles 10-7 at Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football.
The Packers have allowed only 39 total points and 780 total yards in losses to Cleveland, Carolina and Philadelphia. According to OptaSTATS, they are the first NFL team to allow fewer than 40 points and fewer than 800 yards over their first three losses of a season since the 1940 Lions.
The Packers offense was an eyesore last week vs. the Panthers, now the offense just looks broken. In the first half, the Packers were 0-for-5 on third down, they were behind the sticks twice in the first half and the horrible decision by Jordan Love to try and throw a pass late in the first half which ended up being a fumble and taking points off the board.
“We’re not getting into a rhythm,” said Love, who was 20-for-36 for 176 yards with a passer rating of 68.8 — by far his worst game of the season. “We’ll have a good play here and then a negative play. Whether it’s a turnover, penalty, drop sack, you know, it’s a lot of things.”
It certainly is a lot of things. The offensive line has been a leaky faucet most of the year and we all heard the drop, drop, drop last night. Love was only blitzed nine times last night, but the Eagles pressured the third-year starting quarterback nearly 50 percent of the time. It was the same story on the ground. Josh Jacobs tallied 74 rushing yards, but 56 came after contact.
Remember a couple years ago when this same offense was making opposing defenses look silly through misdirection, play-action and presnap movement? Where has all that gone?
Obviously Love gets frustrated by seeing two safeties deep in an effort to stop the explosive play. But he has to understand that it’s OK to beat teams with 1,000 cuts. Get a four-yard completion here followed by a five-yard completion there. It’s not sexy, but it moves the chains and it builds confidence in your offense.
And to make matters even worse, with the Eagles clinging to a three-point lead with 1:30 left, Philadelphia knew exactly what play the Packers were going to run on fourth-and-1 from the Green Bay 44. They snuffed out the run to the right by Jacobs and ended a promising drive that could’ve given the Packers at least the tie.
The Packers are 5-3-1 and now their backs up against the wall. After cruising to a 2-0 start that had many folks in Wisconsin screaming for the Super Bowl, they have now fallen into an abyss that could be tough to get out of.
With so many injuries at wide receiver, winning one-on-one battles is nearly impossible. Which is why LaFleur needs to bring back movement to this offense. He needs to scheme guys open. And please, no more handoffs out of the pistol in short yardage situations.
But most importantly, LaFleur needs to start trusting Love. Remember, the Packers paid Love $55 million a year for a reason and LaFleur needs Love to showcase that — whether he believes he can do it or not.
This team has the firepower to win the NFC North but it also has the inconsistency to only win two more games if the offensive approach doesn’t get changed.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (58)
NFLfan
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 am
The impact of the 'leaky' O-Line is being played down. There is no run D and marginal Pass D. Jacobs has no run blocking. Jordan is pressured too much. Packer fans need to digest this catastrophe a bit more honestly.
The Offense is showing signs of dealing with crumbling foundation-doesn't look significantly 'fixable' for several years-too many needs-Cap space is inhibiting future OL purchases-Walker, Jenkins and Rhyan will likely walk.
KenEllis
November 12, 2025 at 01:22 pm
The offensive line is not good and it may be about to get worse.
LT = below average and about to leave in free agency.
LG = overpaid free agent who is not good.
C = Jenkins is gone, Rhyan is gone, and neither are very good. Huge void.
RG = A 2024 1st round pick who is not a guard and HOPEFULLY next year's LT.
RT = Only above-average starter who is likely to be in place in 2026.
Oh, and the 7th lineman Kinnard will also be gone in free agency along with Walker, Jenkins, and Rhyan.
MLF is deservedly getting a lot of heat, but maybe the spotlight should also be shined on a GM responsible for a craptastic OL situation given that Green Bay has no $ and no 1st round pick to enhance the talent in 2026.
LambeauPlain
November 12, 2025 at 02:50 pm
The Packers have not exactly rung the bell with 1st round OL selections. Virtually all their best OL were Day 2 or 3 picks where solid talent can be found. Giving up 2 #1's for the generational talent like Parsons was a no brainer.
The GM of Player Personnel (only) may have reached for Banks...but there were no solid depth prospects on the OL developed by Butkus and Stenovich to play G or T. So Gutey still decided he needed to draft Belton in the 2nd round.
Why does the OL depth never develop on the Packers? Coaching...and it is rarely upgraded.
KenEllis
November 12, 2025 at 03:31 pm
How are the GM's 2024 1st round and 2025 2nd round OL picks performing?
How is the GM's 2022 3rd round pick performing?
How is the GM's 2021 2nd round Center pick (ya know the one he took 1 pick before All-Pro Center Creed Humprhey) performing - Answer is Myers is still not good with the Jets.
The GM's hands are all over the OL "talent".
Coldworld
November 12, 2025 at 04:43 pm
Morgan looks increasingly like a Tackle played at G (and never prepared to play RT). I was t a proponent of Golden based on fit with what we had (I saw him as a slot at this level, and that was the one role filled, until he adds strength to deal with press and block), but there is no doubting his hands, speed or talent. How he’s been used and how much is increasingly baffling. Neither of those are predominantly on Gute. That’s coaching decisions.
As to Humphrey, on of 2 Cs I’ve really wanted, Gute has suggested that he saw Tom as a C at the time Humphrey was available. Tom is too good at T now, but Gute may have been right. Walker was a steal at LT. Gute isn’t blameless, but no GM is. He is also not the critical problem that, until solved, will perennially raise these questions.
Myers and Nijman are indeed performing in ways they did not hear (Myers) or the coaches told us they couldn’t (Nijman at RT). Nijman certainly looks like he could with preparation, a failure we’ve repeated with Morgan thus far, preferring to focus on Belton who may actually be the best G prospect (something the Eagles believed Kinnard was too) . Those are all coaching choices. Gute doesn’t call those shots or manage the coaching.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Agreed, Nijman was done dirty. Maybe GB would have gotten rid of him for cap space anyway, but he was not playing as poorly as his benching suggested. Lots of questionable coaching use all across our O line going back to about that same time, if not earlier.
jannesbjornson
November 12, 2025 at 04:47 pm
LeRoy Butler summed it up pretty well chatting with Silverstein.
If they want wide-zone why choose Banks? So they move Morgan to RG after prepping at LT/LG all during Camp because he has some good feet for movement skills and Rhyan doesn't have the mobility.
Rhyan looked to hold his ground at center. If they blow past Banks on Gap blitzes, he probably has not recovered from the groin pull and is restricted on his shift and pull. This OT to Guard transitional/cross-training scheme catches up with you eventually.
stockholder
November 13, 2025 at 06:57 am
Blow Bye-
Banks can't handle speed rushers.
Read his scouting report-
He's suppose to excel at run blocking.
His Timing off the LOS is a set back.
Rhah
November 13, 2025 at 12:47 am
I don't think Jenkins is gone. He is under contract, and Banks could be the one cut after the season.
stockholder
November 13, 2025 at 07:00 am
Both need to be gone.
Their age and pay is against both.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:49 pm
We don't know but Jenkins becomes very expensive next year. If his injury is serious enough as to make his recovery questionable that increases the likelihood they part ways. His play has declined in recent years, with this year being his worst. I'd like to think he could still have played well had the situation been coached / managed better, but I have no idea what the team or the player will do in the future.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:41 pm
You can't say Zach Tom is only above average. He's consistently stopped some of the best in the league.
Jordan Morgan and Monk are both unknown quantities, seeing as they've only played JM out of position. It's possible that development and evaluation as well as utilization of the O linemen on the roster have all been crimes against football for at least several years.
Tundraboy
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Absolutely. Every play is a struggle for ths Oline.
Even the most successful plays sometime seem to play out in slow motion. and take forever to unfold.
I'm certainly no expert, but there seems to be too much motion for the sake of motion, and with this Oline this year that's catastrophic more than usual.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Figure out if you're talking about offense or defense.
Lphill
November 12, 2025 at 11:54 am
Jamis Winston starting for the Giants hasn't played in a year, he probably will have a career day the way things are going.
Packerpasty
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 pm
or the Packers will crush them and MLF will say "see I fixed it"...which would be a fib...
Packers1985
November 12, 2025 at 01:06 pm
That's what i fear this game seems to be an easy win but given the team struggled the last few weeks. I think we might struggle a bit but end up winning atleast by a score and expecting MLF do be saying what you said above.
Coldworld
November 12, 2025 at 04:48 pm
Yes, Winston is the more aggressive choice. There’s a chance he torches our secondary deep or that he simply gives them the ball repeatedly.
If he plays well then he could be a statement by their new regime to start turning things around. If he blows up, well he’s just a fill in and Dart is their future and their season is done anyway.
Why not go for the big prize if you are them? Nothing to lose and much to gain in Terms of morale and fan base. Parsons and co. should be salivating as he’s not a quick throw QB.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:54 pm
It's also possible that NY's QB does both Sunday, torches our DBs AND turns the ball over multiple times. You could even say that's the most likely outcome.
Hopefully this will be more fun than last Sunday ...
Packers1985
November 12, 2025 at 01:05 pm
I think you are being too pessimistic about it from how our offense played these last 2 games. Hey our defense played great so far this year but the offense didnt so Winston going to have a career day seems over reach.
Given the situation in Newyork currently coach being fired and in to back up qb this is the set right game for offense. I feel it will be a hard fought game but Gb will end with a win by atleast a score.
Coldworld
November 12, 2025 at 01:23 pm
Winston is not the safe choice. He’s a big arm, big play type who will take on our secondary if he can stay upright. Tactically I understand: they want to make a statement, but have little to lose, but Wilson might have done a good Flacco imitation and beaten us with the quick short stuff. He’s a shadow of his best, but he’s might still have been a better if less glamorous match up for us. As it is I expect Winston to be a boom or bust choice. He could shock us or them through turnovers and sacks.
Starrbrite
November 12, 2025 at 06:36 pm
Exactly right CW.
Starrbrite
November 12, 2025 at 06:35 pm
Lp—you’re on to something regarding Winston. He can throw 5 TDs or 5 INTs; or both.
He’s a no fear long-baller.
DLine needs to make him miserable.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:57 pm
I hope to see #1 stalk him down. He pressured Hurts all over the place, but never got home; that surprised me. Glad I don't have to watch da Bares play GB Sunday, I'm not ready for that lol.
bjkdad44
November 13, 2025 at 07:44 am
Probably
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 12:52 pm
He can't possibly do as well as Tommy Cutlets, who we made look like Joe Namath.
MLF: hold my beer
TarynsEyes
November 12, 2025 at 12:43 pm
"The Packers have allowed only 39 total points and 780 total yards in losses to Cleveland, Carolina and Philadelphia. According to OptaSTATS, they are the first NFL team to allow fewer than 40 points and fewer than 800 yards over their first three losses of a season since the 1940 Lions".
What this great defense of GB did is nothing short of expected.
Cleveland-31st ranked Offense
Pitt-29th ranked Offense
Carolina-27 th ranked Offense
Philly-22nd ranked Offense
Arizona-20th ranked Offense
Yes, this Defense has been stellar against such 'High-Powered' Offenses.
The Defense is above average, but keep a lid on the dominate boiling pot.
Coldworld
November 12, 2025 at 04:51 pm
Above average is all we should need. In this context that’s what matters. It’s not the D letting us down or preventing us winning. The focus needs to be fully on other phases.
Starrbrite
November 12, 2025 at 06:37 pm
Right—offense must wake up.
stockholder
November 12, 2025 at 01:06 pm
You and maybe everyone has this all wrong.
We haven't been eliminated yet.
Maybe Love and the peanut gallery need to trust MLF.
How can Love think he's not Rodgers?
Handsback
November 12, 2025 at 01:09 pm
So much whinning from a team that made the playoffs 2 years in a row....
Power football, misdirection, WC(west coast style offense) all have a part in bring down that safety. BUT, if you decide to package your offense as is , that's a problem. For power plays, bring in another OT. Even Sherman came up with a heavy pkg. that provided Green with lots of running room. Surely the Pack has a misdirection portfolio that could be used.
Gutsey made it clear that cutsey time is over...they need to compete for a SB in preseason. He backed it up by giving MLF the premier pass rusher in the league.
MLF needs to bring discipline and focus to the offense. Yes he lost Kraft. Yet it took several games for him to realize how effective he would be as a weapon. Soooo get Musgrave out there and continue that process but have him run deeper patterns.
MLF, has a focus problem. He needs to find solutions not excuses. The time is now!
JMHO
porupack
November 13, 2025 at 09:44 am
I give you thumbs up...but must say...seldom is a problem just on one spot. MLF is married to JLove, as JLove is to the Oline, and receivers, and game plan. Ultimately it does fall on MLF, who has to figure out how to make all those work. JLove has some apparent limitations in seeing the field, and decisions under pressure (not unlike most QBs), so MLF is limited on what he can do...but he has to do it, because there are always solutions even for the worst of teams to come out and beat the best ones.
Tundraboy
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 pm
"MLF, has a focus problem. He needs to find solutions not excuses."
O line cannot be fixed this year so he needs to adapt and he needs to adapt now. He's always reactionary well after the need presents itself and with Kraft being out he should have anticipated this nightmare.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 01:01 pm
O line HAS to be fixed this year! Nothing happens without blocking. 6 O linemen was effective, just gotta stop the penalties. Practice THAT.
Lare
November 12, 2025 at 01:39 pm
They need three new starting offensive linemen and a new OL coach before this offense will show any improvement.
Tough to do at this time of the season.
LambeauPlain
November 12, 2025 at 01:48 pm
Remember the Illusion of Complexity Offense? Yeah, neither do I.
LaFleur was hired by Murphy primarily for his Offense...Matt sold him as being the next hot coaching prospect from the Shannihan tree.
The offense is floundering due to a mess on the OL. Not just the injuries...but the non stop mistakes, missed assignments and penalties. Zone or gap blocking. The coaches don't know...but seem to be staying with zone blocking that is not moving people.
Stenovich and Butkus have been coaching the OL since LaFleur was hired. The depth is rarely developed and few pro bowl talents...Bakhtiari was but he was not their lump of clay. This is the worst OL mess I can recall for a long time.
But it is near impossible to fix the OL with a talent infusion at mid season, either players or coaches.
The next 4 games will tell the tale. They could win them all, be North Division leaders at 9-3-1...or lose them all sitting in the basement at 5-7-1. The OL play will decide Matt's fate, I believe.
NFLfan
November 12, 2025 at 03:13 pm
OL play should decide Gutekunst's fate too. He's the architect.
Coldworld
November 12, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Fire Gute and LaFleur will still have the same traits. Fire LaFleur and some of the dross may turn out to glitter. Bad coaching kills caters whether it’s technical or what they are asked to do. Gute is not the tipping point unless you think that, overall, this roster is incapable of beating other teams.
The D has been good enough, the O though has not. Nor has it adapted to defenses or weaknesses on our own side. In fact it magnifies the pressure in the OL. The only way this improves is through changes to the offensive concept, design and calling and I would add attitude—going out there to trounce not avoid risk.
LaFleur has never delivered that regardless of QB or OL or roster. We are stymied now by the same tactics that stymied Rodgers in 2022. Don’t lose focus, sharpen it.
GBPfaninMO
November 12, 2025 at 07:49 pm
Damn straight
Tundraboy
November 13, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Spot on.
13titles
November 12, 2025 at 04:13 pm
MLF is an offensive play caller. His strengths in other aspects of coaching are not good....(time management, coaching personnel, game planning, motivation, accountability for dumb penalties, having the right players on the field). ST and defence he seems to have no interest in as can be seen by his back turned during a crucial play.
If MLF is not calling good offensive plays he is a liability as head coach
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 01:04 pm
"MLF is an offensive play caller."
Sure is! He's been offending everyone in WI.
Seriously though, I think his bad playcalling is a much more minor part of the problem than the rest of his screwups.
ricky
November 12, 2025 at 04:47 pm
Love doesn't call the plays. LaFleur does. And what he does is run on first down. A lot. Which teams now expect, and the OL has not proved capable of opening holes for Jacobs all year. But do it anyway. Then run again. And, not surprisingly, have another short gain. Then, on third down, allow Love to pass. But since the OL can't really run block either, he is under pressure almost immediately, and then the play is not enough to get a first down, even if it's completed. Assuming the receiver catches it.
It is as if LaFleur has decided to abandon what worked the last few years, the "illusion of complexity", for the reality of ineptness. Then again, he might just be relying on Stenavich to help him design the offense, and as an excellent OL coach, he wants that group to dominate. That they don't doesn't seem to matter. Keep trying, because it will work if you just try hard enough.
LaFleur should be coaching for his job. Instead, he is showing why he should be considered a lame duck, and be ready to get back to being an OC with another team. Maybe Mike McCarthy can become the next of the Giants, and LaFleur could become his OC?
Starrbrite
November 12, 2025 at 06:43 pm
Ricky—you captured the play calls and results extremely well.
porupack
November 13, 2025 at 09:51 am
I give you thumbs up...but must say...seldom is a problem just on one spot. MLF is married to JLove, as JLove is to the Oline, and receivers, and game plan. Ultimately it does fall on MLF, who has to figure out how to make all those work even with big warts on the nose. JLove has some apparent limitations in seeing the field, and decisions under pressure (not unlike most QBs), so MLF is limited on what he can do...but he has to do it, because there are always solutions even for the worst of teams to come out and beat the best ones.
MLF seems to had schemed around JLove limitations by "establishing a run game" so defense loosens up in the back end. Well opposing defenses realized that it is best to give the ground game yards and pressure JLove. It worked. It works. Most of the favorable passing stats came from TucKraft YAC and by leaking out RBs and TEs. Otherwise, the WR production is substandard. Drops yes. Poor routes, yes. JLove missing open guys....oh very yes. So, MLF doesn't have a whole lot to work....but he is paid to do so. His past schemes didn't work...he has to dig deep in the barrel.
Tundraboy
November 13, 2025 at 12:49 pm
"And what he does is run on first down. A lot. Which teams now expect, and the OL has not proved capable of opening holes for Jacobs all year. But do it anyway. Then run again. And, not surprisingly, have another short gain. Then, on third down, allow Love to pass. But since the OL can't really run block either, he is under pressure almost immediately, and then the play is not enough to get a first down, even if it's completed. Assuming the receiver catches it."
Great work! You just described the offense in a single paragraph.
GBPfaninMO
November 12, 2025 at 07:47 pm
Many of the decisions the brain trust? makes no sense.People who know more about foosball than me said Morgan could have been had in later rounds & Banks was not thought of highly & moving Jenkins was not guaranteed to be the right move.Why didn't they get an established center in the off-season seems like an important position to me.And running McManus out there when Havirsik was red hot and just set a record you just knew that was going to go poorly.
jannesbjornson
November 13, 2025 at 11:05 am
His draft projection was Rd One, with a high two pick range for a boundary.
Since'61
November 12, 2025 at 07:53 pm
A team's offense goes as far as their OL takes. them. At this point the Packers OL is not taking them very far. I never liked moving Jenkins to Center. Tom should have been the Center with Walker and Morgan at LT and RT respectively. The money wasted on Banks would have been better spent on DBs to solidify the secondary.
These off season errors have now been compounded by numerous injuries to the OL and the Packers receiving corp.
The Packers have time to right the ship but they need to decide their identity on offense. Since our opponents seem to have focused on stopping Jacobs it's probably time to put the games in Love's hands and open up the passing game. More up tempo and more passing. Thanks, Since '61
LeotisHarris
November 12, 2025 at 08:13 pm
A return to the grand old days of play action bootleg to the right, hit the TE for 6 yards, slants, back shoulder for a first down, middle screen to a back with speed, find a WR who can catch with his hands in that vast wasteland between the hashmarks. A guy can dream, right?
Packerpasty
November 13, 2025 at 09:49 am
slants??? what kind of play is that?? Haven't seen any of those except when I watch a Lions game with Geoff and St Brown..
Tundraboy
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Exactly, that part of of our playbook should never have been taken out while other parts. cough, cough ....
Rhah
November 13, 2025 at 12:32 am
I don't like the idea of Tom at C, but it's a lot better than what we are doing now. Walker, Jenkins, Tom, Ryan, Morgan would probably be better. And no wasted money on Banks.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 01:09 pm
Rhyan was ok at C. Maybe he'll improve? RG will remain weak. Belton?
porupack
November 13, 2025 at 09:55 am
I give you thumbs up...but must say...seldom is a problem just on one spot. MLF is married to JLove, as JLove is to the Oline, and receivers, and game plan. Ultimately it does fall on MLF, who has to figure out how to make all those work even with big warts on the nose. JLove has some apparent limitations in seeing the field, and decisions under pressure (not unlike most QBs), so MLF is limited on what he can do...but he has to do it, because there are always solutions even for the worst of teams to come out and beat the best ones.
MLF seems to had schemed around JLove limitations by "establishing a run game" so defense loosens up in the back end. Well opposing defenses realized that it is best to give the ground game yards and just keep pressuring JLove. It worked. It works. Most of the favorable passing stats came from TucKraft YAC and by leaking out RBs and TEs. Otherwise, the WR production is substandard. Drops yes. Poor routes, yes. JLove missing open guys....oh very yes. So, MLF doesn't have a whole lot to work....but he is paid to do so. His past schemes didn't work...he has to dig deep in the barrel. Even try uptempo, no huddle out the gate. Or put in QB2 and see what he chop for soup out of pressure.
Leatherhead
November 13, 2025 at 10:52 am
This is a playoff caliber defense.
Offensively, we're going to be playing the rest of the season without 3 preferred starters.....Reed, Kraft, and Jenkins. Add in the occasional missed game by Banks or Golden or somebody else, and basically we're out there missing half our starters on offense.
We're not going to be an offensive juggernaut under those circumstances, but we can do better than 7 points. On Wilde and Tausch the other day, Wilde hit the nail on the head when he said that the defense was good enough if we can just make some INCREMENTAL improvements on offense. A few SMALL improvements would have us better than 5-3-1.
I still think this team will win at least 10 games and make the playoffs.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 13, 2025 at 01:10 pm
Why do you say Reed is out for the year?
Leatherhead
November 13, 2025 at 02:19 pm
He took a bad injury. Recovering from it is one thing; recovering well enough that you can withstand being slammed to the ground is another. He's had surgeries on his collarbone and his foot, and SOME people have said that MAYBE he could be back for the last couple of games and the playoffs.
Possibly. I'm not holding my breath that he can come back and suit up, but even if he does, is he going to be 100%? Probably not.
I think it's Doubs, Wicks, Watson, Golden, Heath, Melton, and Williams the rest of the way. If Reed returns and is in top form, great, but these guys have been practicing and playing while Reed has been recovering.